Villa rejected a fourth offer from Al Hilal for the forward on Friday. Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesAug. 23, 2026 Updated 12:21 pm EDTAston Villa manager Unai Emery refused to confirm whether Ollie Watkins asked not to play against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.Following Villa’s 4-0 defeat in their 2026-27 season opener, Emery insisted questions regarding the forward’s future were “for him and his agent”.On Friday, Villa rejected a fourth offer from Al Hilal worth £45million for Watkins, with The Athletic revealing the forward had made clear that he wished to pursue the move to Saudi Arabia. A transfer is not close at present, with Villa offering new terms until 2030, but Watkins has not trained with the squad in recent days.Watkins’ absence against Brighton left Villa without a striker, with Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham ruled out through injury. It meant Ross Barkley moonlighted in the position for the opening 40 minutes, until Joao Gomes was sent off for violent conduct.
“This question is for him. I can answer only with my silence,” said Emery.The Villa manager was was then asked if Watkins refused to play, to which he replied: “I think you call his agent and he can respond. He can only explain his answer, I can’t.“In the last three years, until the transfer window finishes, we have had problems like we are having now. The players here today are keeping the mentality I want for the team. Not complaining or blaming, even with a tough result today.”
